Martin Says Bucs Are “More Awake” For Practice
July 28th, 2014
The typical day in training camp means arriving for work at 7 a.m. and leaving at 10 p.m. Players travel from the local Tampa training camp hotel by bus and stay together. It’s a grind.
A major change this season has players more awake and ready for practice, says Doug Martin.
The simple adjustment is a big one. Lovie Smith is holding the second field session of the day in the broiling afternoon heat. Mornings are filled with classroom work, walk-throughs (which is the first field session of the day) and more.
Greg Schiano took great pride in being on the “details.” Oh, Commander Schiano loved to trumpet details, but Martin was talking yesterday like Schiano might have missed one. The Bucs’ top running back said the team is more ready for practice under the new schedule.
“I enjoy the time difference right now. We’re more fresh. We’re more awake and alert. I think it’s definitely a benefit for us,” Martin said. “And we also have the [season-opening] game around the same time. So it’s definitely going to benefit us.”
Under Schiano, the Bucs started practice about 8 a.m. Now don’t get Joe wrong. This is not Joe trying to claim afternoon practices will take the Buccaneers to the Super Bowl. Lots of teams — good teams — practice in the morning.
But Lovie’s also trying to change the mindset of a roster filled with guys programmed by Schiano. Afternoon practice represents another small way to get the culture and mindset of the Bucs where Lovie wants it. `
July 28th, 2014 at 9:01 am
Joe, any word on which players are rooming together? It’s always pretty telling as to what’s on the coaches minds.
BTW, Schiano was lambasted for thermostat settings and signing in, but does Lovie get a flyer for fussing over Dougie’s Body Mass Index?
July 28th, 2014 at 9:03 am
#$hit$howSchiano
Thank God the Bucs didn’t win a couple of meaningless games last year that may have kept Schiano & Dominik around another year….
July 28th, 2014 at 9:09 am
I have to say I am stoked. The Bucs are very likely to have a top 5, certainly a top 10 defense. There are several players in contract years that are going to be giving everything they have. I think Clayborn is going to have a very good year, maybe nothing crazy, but solid. Barron is ready to really produce. We will see Banks step up from his rookie season. Bowers…. NAH! LOL That would shock me.
I have no clue what the offense might do. Plenty of weapons there, but also plenty of question marks, too. Regardless, with the new D, other teams will have to come ready for a fight. If the offense is just decent, we have the chance for a much improved season!
July 28th, 2014 at 9:15 am
Things That Have Nothing To Do With Success On The Field: thermostat settings, the shape of pasta, the video games players like in their free time.
Things That Are Related To Success On The Field: the shape players are in when they report to camp.
Derp.
July 28th, 2014 at 9:17 am
If you never play a game around anywhere near 8AM…..It seems not to be a good time to practice….I’m not sure it makes a difference, but it could.
July 28th, 2014 at 9:24 am
Joe
Every morning when I go out and get the papers, it seems like a steam bath because of the humidity in morning, it is lower in the afternoon but hotter. It is my experience your body can take heat a lot better than humidity and I think this is a contributer to the change and why they feel better. Ask Julie Andrews at Channel 8 what she thinks.
July 28th, 2014 at 9:39 am
Joe
I meant Julie Phillips, had a flash back
July 28th, 2014 at 9:58 am
Appreciate your feedback and, as always, Joe’s goal that he works toward is to have a great experience for every reader. Joe assures you that what you have experienced is not the norm by any means. If it were, Joe’s site wouldn’t continue to grow at such an incredible pace. –Joe
July 28th, 2014 at 10:41 am
It’s here! Football is here!
Happy days, fo sho!
July 28th, 2014 at 11:26 am
Meanwhile, Gerald McCoy shows up to work yesterday in his pajamas and bathrobe. lol.
Mornings are a LOT more laid back 😉
July 28th, 2014 at 12:37 pm
My comments got clipped, what’s up with that? I had a few extra phrases in there that didn’t show up. (They weren’t critical of anyone, don’t know how I could have offended anyone’s sensibilities.)
July 28th, 2014 at 2:35 pm
Also, Lovie said he wanted the fans to have the ability to attend because most are working in the morning.
July 29th, 2014 at 6:04 am
@Biff Yes, Lovey does get a pass on Dougie’s body mass index. In case you didn’t see, Dougie is in the best shape of his life right now.
Schiano on the other hand fretted about room temperature.
This is the difference between a great coach and a guy who is trying real hard to coach. You will see its results soon enough.